Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous human herpesvirus that is associated with oncogenesis. EBV infection to primary human B lymphocytes leads to induction of EBV-specific HLA-restricted cytotoxic T cells, causing infectious mononucleosis during adolescence. Primary infection with EBV is followed by latent infection in which the reservoir B cells are immortalized. EBV tumorigenic potential in Burkitt lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and post-transplant B cell lymphomas has been well-documented. Distinct forms of EBV latency and patterns of latent gene expression can contribute to the different tumours.